TRADE UNION POWERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 888, 6 August 1910, Page 10

TRADE UNION POWERS.

THE CARPENTERS' UNION. Sir,—Over the signature of C. G. Auger wo have an attempt to justify the actions of unions such as his suing for arrears of subscriptions. Ho says let us look at it from a business point of view. A man joins, knowing he has. to pay so much a week, aud if he .runs in arrears bo will bo excluded. Now, sir, I- shall contradict this first statement right away. If a man joins his union (Carpenters' and Joiners'), ordinary section, ho lias not got that preknowlcdge" as to the amount of his subscription. True,.the fixed subsorip : tion is Is.' a 'week,' but members aru' liable to levies-up to any amount. l''or tho last five or six years the subscriptions of mouibers have been from Is. up to 2s. lOd. a week, and at present they stand at 2s. 2d. The cause for '- these-levies is unemployment and strikes in the Old Land, but members in this land of "no strikes" have to contribute all the same.

Now for his statemont about-the .exclusion of members. Ho says if members do not abide by tho rules they must-bo excluded. Just so; but, sir, a great many members who get in arrears in his union, tiro forced to by the weight of these heavy subscriptions, notwithstanding that if their interests in the union could - bo capitalised • they would bo worth in a number of ; cases J&10 to they having almost earned superannuation, which ,is one of the .benefits.. Notwithstanding, this, this pious union sues such members for a couple of pounds for arrears. Now, to show how far this union will go, they have a rnlo book (which members are forced to buy), and in it there is not a mention about suing for arrears . from cover to cover. The only penalty tho rules provide for this lapse is exclusion. But this very humane union sends circulars notifying excluded members that thej are suing (not under the rules, but under tho Arbitration and Conciliation Acts).. Mr. Auger also says that his union never takes a man to Court who cannot afford to pay. Now, sir, thousands upon thousands of members have been excludedfrom this union for arrears (it being tho only way a member .can cease being a member). A man does not consider he has contracted a debt, but has merelv. paid a penalty. Dues Mr. Auger think that any self-respecting man would como and ask tho union for a favour when ho feels lie is under no obligation? If you would allow me further space, I would point out that this nnion allows membership to a section of tho union at 6d. a week subscription. ' Now, these members are not allowed to have any say over money matters, and not allowed to vote for the election of certain officers. The£ are not allowed to work if they don't join tho union. But, sir, tho money is all taken to bolster up the. other sections of-the union, and would you believe it this scction, "New Zealand Trade Section," is not even registered? How they can claim preference, on an unregistered section I wonder if tho Labour Department knows. How can Mr. Auger claim that his union does not deserve the strictures passed on trade unions in your leader of-a few days back, when he knows quite well that his union is guilty of acts of harshness such as you speak of?—I am, etc., EXCLUDED. Wellington, July 30, 1910.